浓度升高对森林土壤微生物呼吸与根（际）呼吸的影响

根呼吸与微生物呼吸的作用底物不同,二者对高浓度CO₂的响应机理及敏感程度亦不同。在大气CO₂浓度升高的背景下,精确区分根呼吸与微生物呼吸是构建森林生态系统碳循环模型和预测森林生态系统碳源/汇关系所必需的。根（际）呼吸与微生物呼吸对高浓度CO₂的响应呈增加、降低或无明显变化等不同趋势,根（际）呼吸变化主要与根生物量明显相关,细根的作用大于粗根;土壤微生物呼吸变化存在较大的不确定性,微生物量和微生物活性与土壤微生物呼吸相关或不相关。根系统对高浓度CO₂的响应会潜在地影响微生物的代谢底物,进而影响微生物呼吸强度。凡影响土壤总呼吸的生物与非生物因子都会直接或间接地影响根呼吸与土壤微生物呼吸。     

中国森林生态系统土壤CO2释放分布规律及其影响因素

联合国气候框架公约的签署提升了人们对全球变暖、碳循环变化的关注。陆地生态系统在全球变暖格局下的地位与作用,尤其是土壤碳库对全球变暖格局的响应是全球变化研究的焦点。土壤CO₂释放作为土壤-大气CO₂交换的主要途径之一,也就成为各国生态学家研究的重点内容。在对我国森林生态系统CO₂释放通量以及相关气候、生物等因子的资料进行收集、整理和分析的基础上,探讨了我国森林生态系统土壤CO₂释放的分布规律,以及这种规律性分布的气候、生物影响因素。对于我国这样一个南北跨度大的国家,不同区域的森林生态系统土壤CO₂释放通量间存在较大的差异,在全国尺度上,森林生态系统土壤CO₂释放通量平均值为(1.79 ± 0.86) g C m^-2 d^-1,而且土壤CO₂释放通量随着纬度增加逐渐降低。作为一个复杂的生态过程,土壤CO2释放受到生物、非生物因子或独立、或综合的影响。通过分析指出,在全国尺度上,年均温、降雨量、群落净生产力及凋落物量显著地影响森林土壤CO₂释放通量。同时,也正是这些影响因子的纬度分布,导致了我国森林生态系统土壤CO₂释放通量的纬度分布规律。作为衡量土壤CO₂释放对温度敏感性的重要指标,计算了我国森林生态系统土壤CO2释放温度敏感性系数-Q₁₀值,约为1.5,该值显著低于全球平均水平,2.0。     

CO2浓度倍增、高氮沉降和高降雨对南亚热带人工模拟森林生态系统土壤呼吸的影响

 土壤呼吸响应全球气候变化对全球C循环具有重要作用。应用大型开顶箱(Open-top chamber, OTC)人工控制手段, 研究了大气CO₂浓度倍增、高氮沉降和高降雨处理对南亚热带人工森林生态系统土壤呼吸的影响。结果表明: 对照箱、CO₂浓度倍增处理以及高氮沉降处理下土壤呼吸速率都具有明显的季节变化, 雨季(4~9月)的土壤呼吸速率显著高于旱季(10月至次年3月) (p<0.001); 但高降雨处理下无明显的季节差异(p>0.05)。CO₂浓度倍增能显著提高土壤呼吸速率(p<0.05), 其他处理则变化不大。大气CO₂浓度倍增、高氮沉降、高降雨处理和对照箱的土壤呼吸年通量分别为4 241.7、3 400.8、3 432.0和3 308.4 g CO₂·m^–2·a^–1。但在不同季节, 各种处理对土壤呼吸的影响是不同的。在雨季, 大气CO₂浓度倍增和高氮沉降的土壤呼吸速率显著提高(p<0.05), 其他处理无显著变化; 而在旱季, 高降雨的土壤呼吸速率显著高于对照箱(p<0.05), 氮沉降处理则抑制土壤呼吸作用(p<0.05)。各处理的土壤呼吸速率与地下5 cm土壤温度之间具有显著的指数关系(p<0.001); 当土壤湿度低于15%时, 各处理的土壤呼吸速率与地下5 cm土壤湿度具有显著的线性关系(p<0.001)。     

哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林土壤呼吸季节和昼夜变化特征及影响因子比较

 由于受到多种生物和非生物因素的影响,土壤呼吸在不同时间尺度上的动态变化可能不一致。对不同时间尺度的土壤呼吸动态变化的研究有助 于深入了解土壤呼吸变化的机理,也有利于精确推算土壤碳的排放。采用红外CO₂分析法测定哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林季节间(2004年4月～ 2005年3月)和昼夜间 (2004年7、9和11月及2005年1、3和5月共6次)的土壤呼吸。哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林中土壤呼吸的季节变化显著,其中 湿季(5～10月)的土壤呼吸高于干季(11月～翌年4月),全年土壤呼吸的平均值为0.442 g CO₂&;#8226;m^－2&;#8226;h^－1。6 次测定的土壤呼吸日变化模式并不 相同,7和9月、翌年1和3月夜间土壤呼吸大于昼间土壤呼吸,11月和翌年5月则相反;5、7和9月昼夜间的土壤呼吸最大值与最小值的差异比11 月、翌年1和3月的测定结果大。季节间土壤呼吸与土壤温度(p=0.000)和土壤含水量(p=0. 007) 均有显著的指数相关,土壤温度可以解释土壤 呼吸变化的56.1％,土壤含水量可以解释土壤呼吸变化的11.1％。不同季节测定的土壤呼吸日变化与土壤温度、气温和土壤含水量则没有显著 的指数相关。由土壤呼吸与土壤温度拟合的指数方程计算Q₁₀值,在温度为 5.9～16.6 ℃内,全年土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值为4.53,在温度为5.9～ 11.0 ℃内,干季土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值为7.17,在温度为10.3～16.6 ℃内,湿季土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值为2.34。在不同时间尺度上,生物和非生物因素 对哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林的土壤呼吸表现出不同的影响。土壤呼吸的季节变化主要受非生物因子温度和水分变化的调控,而土壤呼吸的昼 夜变化则可能主要受植物的生理活动周期性等生物因素的影响。通过温度的指数函数关系,用土壤呼吸的瞬时值来推算土壤呼吸的日通量和年 通量时,需要考虑温度和水分外的其它生物因子的影响。     

亚热带杉木和马尾松群落土壤系统呼吸及其影响因子

 亚热带杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)和马尾松(Pinus massoniana)在我国森林资源中占有十分重要的地位, 研究它们的土壤与表层凋落物的呼吸有助于了解它们的碳源汇时空分布格局及碳循环过程的关键驱动因子。采用Li-Cor 6400-09连接到Li-6400便携式CO2/H2O分析系统测定湖南两种针叶林群落(2007年1月至12月)的土壤呼吸及其相关根生物量和土壤水热因子。研究结果表明: 杉木和马尾松群落中土壤呼吸的季节变化显著, 在季节动态上的趋势相似, 都呈不规则曲线格局, 全年土壤呼吸速率平均值分别为186.9 mg CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;h^–1和242.4 mg CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;h^–1。从1月开始, 两种群落的土壤呼吸速率由最小值33.9 mg CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;h^–1和38.6 mg CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;h^–1随着气温的升高而升高, 杉木群落到7月底达到全年中最大值326.3 mg CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;h^–1, 而马尾松群落到8月中旬达到最大值467.3 mg CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;h^–1, 土壤呼吸的季节变化与土壤温度呈显著的指数相关, 土壤温度可以分别解释土壤呼吸变化的91.7%和78.0%, 和土壤含水量呈二次方程关系, 土壤含水量可以解释土壤呼吸变化的5.4%和8.4%。由土壤呼吸与土壤温度拟合的指数方程计算Q₁₀值, 杉木和马尾松群落中全年土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值分别为2.26和2.13, Q₁₀值随着温度升高逐渐减小。两种群落土壤呼吸的差异主要受群落植被的根生物量、群落的凋落物量的影响。     

大气CO2浓度升高对不同施氮土壤酶活性的影响

利用中国唯一的无锡FACE（Free-air CO₂ enrichment,开放式空气CO₂浓度升高）平台,研究了大气CO₂浓度升高对土壤β-葡糖苷酶、转化酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、β-氨基葡糖苷酶的影响。研究发现,不同氮肥处理下大气CO₂浓度升高对某些土壤酶活性的影响不同。在低氮施肥处理中,大气CO₂浓度升高显著降低β-葡糖苷酶活性,但是在高氮施肥处理下,大气CO₂浓度升高显著增加β-葡糖苷酶活性。在低氮和常氮施肥处理中大气CO₂浓度升高显著增加了土壤脲酶活性,但在高氮水平下影响不显著。在低氮、常氮施肥处理中,大气CO₂浓度升高对土壤酸性磷酸酶活性没有影响,而在高氮施肥处理中显著增强了土壤中磷酸酶活性。大气CO₂浓度升高对土壤转化酶活性和β-氨基葡糖苷酶的活性有增加趋势,但影响不显著。研究还发现,在不同的CO₂浓度下,土壤酶活性对不同氮肥处理的响应也不同。在正常CO₂浓度下,土壤中β-葡糖苷酶活性随着氮肥施用量的增加而降低,而在大气CO₂浓度升高条件下,却随着氮肥施用量的增加而增加。在大气CO₂浓度升高条件下,高氮施肥显著增加了转化酶和酸性磷酸酶活性,而在正常CO₂浓度下,影响不显著。在大气CO₂浓度升高条件下,氮肥处理对脲酶活性的影响不大,但在正常CO₂浓度下,脲酶活性随着氮肥施用量的增加而增加。氮肥对β-氨基葡糖苷酶活性的影响不明显。     

热带季节雨林林冠上方和林内近地层CO2浓度的时空动态及其成因分析

 为探讨西双版纳独特地方气候背景下,热带季节雨林CO₂浓度的时空变化特征和不同时间尺度上环境因素对森林CO₂浓度时间分布的作用,以及 为研究热带季节雨林的碳通量、净生态系统交换量(Net ecosystem exchange, NEE)等提供支持,我们利用热带季节雨林林冠上方和林内近地层 CO₂浓度连续监测资料,结合同步气象资料进行了统计分析。研究结果表明：在植被生理活动、土壤呼吸以及林内湍流的共同作用下,西双版纳 热带季节雨林CO₂浓度表现出明显的日变化、季节变化和林冠上下差异。在日尺度上,林冠上方的CO₂浓度时间变化曲线为“单峰型”,林内近 地层CO₂浓度时间变化曲线为“双峰型”,造成林内近地层傍晚第二个峰值的主要因子是地形因子作用下形成的局地环流。在季节尺度上,林冠 上方CO₂浓度主要受林冠代谢作用的影响,呈现雨季低、干季高的特点,而林内近地层的CO₂浓度则主要受地表呼吸过程所控制,季节变化趋势 与林冠上方相反。林冠上方CO₂浓度低于林内近地层CO₂浓度,且差异较大;在日尺度上,各月（除12月外）CO₂浓度的最大差值皆大于80 mg·m ^－3,且出现在傍晚;在季节尺度上,最大值为-62.9 mg·m^－3,出现在10月,最小值为-8.4 mg·m^－3,出现在12月。     

线性和指数回归方法对土壤呼吸CO2扩散速率估算的影响

 理论上,土壤呼吸通量的量值可以通过观测土壤呼吸CO₂扩散速率(&#601;c/&#601;t)计算得到。但是为获得&#601;c/&#601;t,通常须允许土壤呼吸箱内CO₂浓度升高,因此,如何估算外界大气CO₂浓度条件下的&#601;c/&#601;t是土壤呼吸观测技术的关键,关系到观测结果的准确性。通常&#601;c/&#601;t的估算会受土壤表层大气CO₂扩散梯度(即土壤呼吸箱内CO₂扩散梯度和大气CO₂浓度昼夜变化)的影响。目前,线性回归方法是土壤呼吸观测中估算&#601;c/&#601;t的基本方法。然而,常用的线性回 归方法会低估&#601;c/&#601;t,而指数回归方法则可以准确地估算&#601;c/&#601;t。夜间&#601;c/&#601;t的变化与大气CO₂ 浓度之间存在非常明显的负相关关系。夜间土壤表层大气CO₂扩散梯度的减小导致线性回归方法明显低估&#601;c/&#601;t。&#601;c/&#601;t的昼夜变化过程存在明显的非对称性现象,而指数回归方法可以更好地描述&#601;c/&#601;t昼夜变化的非对称性响应。     

植物种类、大气二氧化碳和土壤氮素的交互作用或累加效应控制“植物-土壤”系统的碳分配

为了验证土壤氮(N)素和大气二氧化碳(CO₂)浓度的增高是交互或者累加性地控制“植物-土壤”系统中的碳(C)分配这一假设, 同时为了揭示这种作用是否随着植物种类而变化, 在不同的CO₂浓度下的高氮和低氮土壤中种植豆科植物紫花苜蓿(Medicago truncatula)和非豆科植物燕麦(Avena sativa), 并对植物的生长和土壤微生物等特性在这些条件下的变化进行了测定. 结果表明, 植物物种和土壤N素的交互作用对土壤微生物和植物的生长有着重要的作用. 对于紫花苜蓿而言, CO₂和土壤N素的交互作用对土壤可溶性C和土壤微生物生物量有重要影响, 但对燕麦则并非如此. 尽管CO₂和土壤N素都显著影响植物的生长, 但它们对植物的影响并不存在交互性, 也就是说CO₂和土壤N素对植物生长的影响是累加的. 豆科植物的固氮特性与CO₂的交互作用可能掩盖了土壤N素与CO₂的交互作用对豆科植物生长的影响. 在低N土壤中, 燕麦的冠根比从初期的2.63±0.20降低到后期的1.47±0.03, 表明燕麦在生长受到土壤N素的抑制时, 分配了更多的能量到根部以加强植物对养分元素的吸收(如N素); 在高氮土壤中, 紫花苜蓿的冠根比随时间延长显著升高(从2.45±0.30到5.43±0.10), 说明当土壤N素不是植物生长限制因子时, 更多的能量被分配到地上部分以加强植物对C的同化. 在不同土壤N素水平上, 大气CO₂浓度对植物的冠根比的影响均不显著.     

CO2浓度增加和不同氮肥水平对冬小麦根系呼吸及生物量的影响

 依托FACE(Free-air CO₂ enrichment)研究平台, 利用特制分根集气生长箱, 采用静态箱-GC(Gas chromatography)法, 连续两年研究 了大气CO₂浓度升高和不同氮肥水平对冬小麦拔节期、孕穗抽穗期和灌浆末期的根系呼吸及生物量的影响。两季结果表明, CO₂浓度升高和高氮 肥量均不同程度地增加了3个阶段的地上部和地下部的生物量, 这有利于增加根茬的还田量; CO₂浓度升高对冬小麦不同生长阶段的根系呼吸影 响不同, 在拔节期影响较小;孕穗抽穗期显著增加了根系呼吸, 2004~2005季分别增加33.8%(148.1 mg N&;#8226;kg^-1 干土, HN)和43.9%(88.9 mg N&;#8226;kg^-1 干土, LN), 2005~2006季分别为23.8%(HN)和28.9%(LN); 而灌浆末期显著降低了根系呼吸, 2004~2005季分别降低31.4%(HN)和23.3% (LN), 2005~2006季分别为25.1%(HN)和18.5%(LN); 高施氮量比低施氮量促进了根系呼吸; 随着作物生长根系呼吸与地下生物量呈显著线性负相 关, 高CO₂环境中的R²变小,表明随着作物生长发育高CO₂浓度降低了作物根系呼吸与地下部生物量积累间的相关性.     

Elevated CO2, rhizosphere processes,and soil organic matter decomposition

The rhizosphere is one of the key fine-scale components of C cycles. This study was undertaken to improve understanding of the potential effects of atmospheric CO2 increase on rhizosphere processes. Using C isotope techniques, we found that elevated atmospheric CO2 significantly increased wheat plant growth, dry mass accumulation, rhizosphere respiration, and soluble C concentrations in the rhizosphere. When plants were grown under elevated CO2 concentration, soluble C concentration in the rhizosphere increased by approximately 60%. The degree of elevated CO2 enhancement on rhizosphere respiration was much higher than on root biomass. Averaged between the two nitrogen treatments and compared with the ambient CO2 treatment, wheat rhizosphere respiration rate increased 60% and root biomass only increased 26% under the elevated CO2 treatment. These results indicated that elevated atmospheric CO2 in a wheat-soil system significantly increased substrate input to the rhizosphere due to both increased root growth and increased root activities per unit of roots. Nitrogen treatments changed the effect of elevated CO2 on soil organic matter decomposition. Elevated CO2 increased soil organic matter decomposition (22%) in the nitrogen-added treatment but decreased soil organic matter decomposition (18%) without nitrogen addition. Soil nitrogen status was therefore found to be important in determining the directions of the effect of elevated CO2 on soil organic matter decomposition.     

Fertilization effects on fineroot biomass, rhizosphere microbes and respiratory fluxes in hardwood forest soils

Fertilizer-induced reductions in CO(2) flux from soil ((F)CO(2)) in forests have previously been attributed to decreased carbon allocation to roots, and decreased decomposition as a result of nitrogen suppression of fungal activity. Here, we present evidence that decreased microbial respiration in the rhizosphere may also contribute to (F)CO(2) reductions in fertilized forest soils. Fertilization reduced (F)CO(2) by 16-19% in 65-yr-old plantations of northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and in a natural 85-yr-old yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis) stand. In oak plots, fertilization had no effects on fine root biomass but reduced mycorrhizal colonization by 18% and microbial respiration by 43%. In maple plots, fertilization reduced root biomass, mycorrhizal colonization and microbial respiration by 22, 16 and 46%, respectively. In birch plots, fertilization reduced microbial respiration by 36%, but had variable effects on root biomass and mycorrhizal colonization. In plots of all three species, fertilization effects on microbial respiration were greater in rhizosphere than in bulk soil, possibly as a result of decreased rhizosphere carbon flux from these species in fertile soils. Because rhizosphere processes may influence nutrient availability and carbon storage in forest ecosystems, future research is needed to better quantify rhizo-microbial contributions to (F)CO(2).     

大气CO_2与吡虫啉对甘蓝土壤细菌与微生物生物量C的影响

采用田间开顶式CO2控制气室(OTC),研究了375μL/L、750μL/L两个CO2浓度和CK、LC50、LC903种吡虫啉浓度处理条件下,甘蓝根际土壤细菌与非根际土壤微生物生物量C的变化。750μL/L CO2处理对甘蓝根际细菌数量显著增加(P0.01),而在同一CO2水平下各农药处理间并无显著差异;根区土壤微生物生物量C只有在750μL/L CO2且无吡虫啉处理的条件下显著(P0.05)下降,在LC50、LC90处理的影响下并不显著。同一CO2水平下,根区土壤微生物生物量C受农药处理的影响不明显。     

Rhizosphere interactions, carbon allocation, and nitrogen acquisition of two perennial North American grasses in response to defoliation and elevated atmospheric CO2

Carbon allocation and N acquisition by plants following defoliation may be linked through plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Plant C allocation patterns and rhizosphere interactions can also be affected by rising atmospheric CO(2) concentrations, which in turn could influence plant and microbial responses to defoliation. We studied two widespread perennial grasses native to rangelands of western North America to test whether (1) defoliation-induced enhancement of rhizodeposition would stimulate rhizosphere N availability and plant N uptake, and (2) defoliation-induced enhancement of rhizodeposition, and associated effects on soil N availability, would increase under elevated CO(2). Both species were grown at ambient (400 μL L(-1)) and elevated (780 μL L(-1)) atmospheric [CO(2)] under water-limiting conditions. Plant, soil and microbial responses were measured 1 and 8 days after a defoliation treatment. Contrary to our hypotheses, we found that defoliation and elevated CO(2) both reduced carbon inputs to the rhizosphere of Bouteloua gracilis (C(4)) and Pascopyrum smithii (C(3)). However, both species also increased N allocation to shoots of defoliated versus non-defoliated plants 8 days after treatment. This response was greatest for P. smithii, and was associated with negative defoliation effects on root biomass and N content and reduced allocation of post-defoliation assimilate to roots. In contrast, B. gracilis increased allocation of post-defoliation assimilate to roots, and did not exhibit defoliation-induced reductions in root biomass or N content. Our findings highlight key differences between these species in how post-defoliation C allocation to roots versus shoots is linked to shoot N yield, but indicate that defoliation-induced enhancement of shoot N concentration and N yield is not mediated by increased C allocation to the rhizosphere.     

锡林河流域一个放牧草原群落中根系呼吸占土壤总呼吸比例的初步估计

 采取根系生物量梯度上土壤呼吸变化趋势线外推法对锡林河流域一个放牧羊草(Leymus chinensis)群落中根系呼吸占土壤总呼吸的比例进行了估计。结果表明：在测定年度整个生长季的不同月份,该群落中根系呼吸量占土壤呼吸总量的比例在15%～37%之间,平均为24%;根系呼吸所占比例较高的月份与根系生长的高峰期基本一致,均出现在6月中旬和8月上旬;上述结果与国外同类研究结果相比,具有很好的一致性。     

林木根呼吸及测定方法进展

 森林土壤呼吸的近2/3是由林木根呼吸产生的,林木根呼吸对估计森林C吸存及构建森林生态系统碳动态模型有重要意义,是全球碳循环研究的一个重要组成部分。林木根呼吸包括生长呼吸和维持呼吸,不同森林生态系统林木根呼吸对土壤呼吸的贡献大多在40%～60%范围内,林木根呼吸在生长季节较高而休眠季节较低。测定林木根呼吸的主要方法有排除根法、离体根法、同位素法和原位PVC管气室法,前两者相对简单、成本低,常用于森林生态系统中;同位素法可原位测定根呼吸,对土壤干扰较小,但不易操作,且成本高。根呼吸受土壤温度、根直径大小、根组织N浓度、环境CO2浓度、土壤湿度、养分有效性等因素的影响。今后的研究应集中在以下方面：1）探讨和比较不同条件下测定根呼吸组成（生长呼吸、维持呼吸）的最合适方法;2）加大在野外条件下使用有效方法分离根呼吸和根际微生物呼吸的力度;3）对森林生态系统根呼吸动态进行长期的定位研究;4）进一步加强研究不同气候带,不同森林类型林木根呼吸,并将研究尺度从气室扩大到区域或全球水平;5）加强林木根呼吸对全球变化的响应及机制的研究;6)对林木根呼吸进行多学科合作研究将为全球C循环做出新的贡献。     

The response of soil microorganisms and roots to elevated CO2 and temperature in a terrestrial model ecosystem

We investigate the response of soil microorganisms to atmospheric CO2 and temperature change within model terrestrial ecosystems in the Ecotron. The model communities consisted of four plant species (Cardamine hirsuta, Poa annua, Senecio vulgaris, Spergula arvensis), four herbivorous insect species (two aphids, a leaf-miner, and a whitefly) and their parasitoids, snails, earthworms, woodlice, soil-dwelling Collembola (springtails), nematodes and soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, mycorrhizae and Protista). In two successive experiments, the effects of elevated temperature (ambient plus 2 °C) at both ambient and elevated CO2 conditions (ambient plus 200 ppm) were investigated. A 40:60 sand:Surrey loam mixture with relatively low nutrient levels was used. Each experiment ran for 9 months and soil microbial biomass (Cmic and Nmic), soil microbial community (fungal and bacterial phospholipid fatty acids), basal respiration, and enzymes involved in the carbon cycling (xylanase, trehalase) were measured at depths of 0–2, 0–10 and 10–20 cm. In addition, root biomass and tissue C:N ratio were determined to provide information on the amount and quality of substrates for microbial growth.Elevated temperature under both ambient and elevated CO2 did not show consistent treatment effects. Elevation of air temperature at ambient CO2 induced an increase in Cmic of the 0–10 cm layer, while at elevated CO2 total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) increased after the third generation. The metabolic quotient qCO2 decreased at elevated temperature in the ambient CO2 run. Xylanase and trehalase showed no changes in both runs. Root biomass and C:N ratio were not influenced by elevated temperature in ambient CO2. In elevated CO2, however, elevated temperature reduced root biomass in the 0–10 cm and 30–40 cm layers and increased N content of roots in the deeper layers. The different response of root biomass and C:N ratio to elevated temperature may be caused by differences in the dynamics of root decomposition and/or in allocation patterns to coarse or fine roots (i.e. storage vs. resource capture functions). Overall, our data suggests that in soils of low nutrient availability, the effects of climate change on the soil microbial community and processes are likely to be minimal and largely unpredicatable.     

Periodic carbon flushing to roots of Quercus rubra saplings affects soil respiration and rhizosphere microbial biomass

Patterns of root/shoot carbon allocation within plants have been studied at length. The extent, however, to which patterns of carbon allocation from shoots to roots affect the timing and quantity of organic carbon release from roots to soil is not known. We employed a novel approach to study how natural short-term variation in the allocation of carbon to roots may affect rhizosphere soil biology. Taking advantage of the semi-determinate phenology of young northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), we examined how pulsed delivery of carbon from shoots to roots affected dynamics of soil respiration as well as microbial biomass and net nitrogen mineralization in the rhizosphere. Young Q. rubra exhibit (1) clear switches in the amount of carbon allocated below-ground that are non-destructively detected simply by observing pulsed shoot growth above-ground, and (2) multiple switches in internal carbon allocation during a single growing season, ensuring our ability to detect short-term effects of plant carbon allocation on rhizosphere biology separate from longer-term seasonal effects. In both potted oaks and oaks rooted in soil, soil respiration varied inversely with shoot flush stage through several oak shoot flushes. In addition, upon destructive harvest of potted oaks, microbial biomass in the rhizosphere of saplings with actively flushing shoots was lower than microbial biomass in the rhizosphere of saplings with shoots that were not flushing. Given that plants have evolved with their roots in contact with soil microbes, known species-specific carbon allocation patterns within plants may provide insight into interactions among roots, symbionts, and free-living microbes in the dynamic soil arena.     

Effect of Elevated CO2 and Drought on Soil Microbial Communities Associated with Andropogon gerardii

Our understanding of the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2, singly and In combination with other environmental changes,on plant-soil interactions is incomplete. Elevated CO2 effects on C4 plants, though smaller than on C3 species, are mediated mostly via decreased stomatal conductance and thus water loss. Therefore, we characterized the interactive effect of elevated CO2 and drought on soil microbial communities associated with a dominant C4 prairie grass, Andropogon gerardii Vitman. Elevated CO2 and drought both affected resources available to the soil microbial community. For example, elevated CO2 increased the soil C:N ratio and water content during drought, whereas drought alone decreased both. Drought significantly decreased soil microbial biomass. In contrast, elevated COz increased biomass while ameliorating biomass decreases that were induced under drought. Total and active direct bacterial counts and carbon substrate use (overall use and number of used sources) increased significantly under elevated CO2. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that drought and elevated CO2, singly and combined, did not affect the soil bacteria community structure.We conclude that elevated CO2 alone increased bacterial abundance and microbial activity and carbon use, probably in response to increased root exudation. Elevated CO2 also limited drought-related impacts on microbial activity and biomass,which likely resulted from decreased plant water use under elevated CO2. These are among the first results showing that elevated CO2 and drought work in opposition to modulate plant-associated soil-bacteria responses,which should then Influence soil resources and plant and ecosystem function.